Extractor



1,641,780 S p 1927' H. J. PARKER EXTRACTOR Filed Sept. 22. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR flaw J 4)" Pl" BY [la/7a) 4A,

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY J. PARKER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH '10 KARL TBITSCHELLER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

EXTBACTOR.

Application filed September 22, 1925.

This invention relates to improvements in extractors and more particularly to means for centrifugally extracting liquids.

The principal objects of this invention are,

a to connect the motive means directly to the centrifugal extracting basket or container;

to support the motor and the extractor on a pneumatic base, that will allow the necessary gyration of the centrifugal element be- 1" fore it finds its center, without injury to the supporting base; to provide means for antomatically stopping the extractor when the extraction is complete; to render machines of this character more simple, compact and 1 direct acting. Other objects and advantages will appear as this description progresses.

In' this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention is illustrated in the form considered to be the best, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form, because it may be embodied in other forms and it is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description it is desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.

Machines of this character are used very largely in laundries for wringing or extracting the water from laundry after Washing. Since laundry is made up of garments of various materials and sizes considerable skill is required to pack the wet laundry into the centrifugal basket in such a manner that it will properly balance at high speeds. At best only an approximate balance can be attained, which causes a gyrating or wobbly,

operation of the basket, until the mass attains a true gyroscopic action. Since these baskets rotate at speeds of fifteen hundred revolutions per minute, more or less, this eccentric action of the basket has a very destructive effect upon the supporting means, which of necessity must be of a resilient nature, hence subject to rapid deterioration under abusive conditions.

The most gene-rally adopted form of support has been solid rubber rings disposed on opposite sides of a flange on the supporting bearing for the vertical shaft of the basket, the bearing being capable of a limited lateral play. The basket being driven by a ulley fixed upon the shaft and engaging a belt driven at a high speed. The incidental belt slippage, especially in starting heavy Serial No. 57,813.

loads at relatively high speed, and the fact that the pulley is small and vertical and the belt must be maintained very tight to transmit the power which results in hot bearings at. rush hours, allows the flanges to slip between the rubber rings causing them to burn, soften and become unfit to function. Neither is such a structure suitable to support the additional weight of a motor directly mounted upon the vertical supporting shaft.

Additional advantages of this invention will appear as this description is continued with reference to the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of an extractor constructed in accordance with this invention, parts being broken away irregularly and parts being shown in full lines, better to disclose the form, shape and relative positions of the combined elements of the machine.

Figure 2 is a wiring diagram of the electrical mechanisms.

In detail the construction includes the floor base 1, having the hollow pedestal 2, supporting the casing 3, closed by the cover 4, hinged to the casing. The base 1 has an elevated platform 5, with a depending bowl 6 and the upstanding edge 7, rising above the platform. These various parts may be cast integrally with the base 1, for simplicity and strength. The bowl 6 is coaxial with the pedestal and the enclosing casing 3. The top of the bowl is closed by the diaphragm 8, composed of vulcanized fabric and compounded rubber, similar in general characteristics to pneumatic tire casings. In the interest of greater stability the outer edge of the diaphragm is reinforced by the annular steel ring 9, and the central. opening similarly reinforced by the rin 10. Friction fabric cut bias is wrapped tfir rings, and overlaid layers upon layer with interposed cushion stock, with the center of core 11 of rubber, to give the necessary resiliency and strength with the minimum of stretch.

The threaded stem 12, extends through the center opening and has its hexagonal head 13 bearing against the under side of the diaphragm. The washer 14, surrounds the stem and lays against the top of the diaphragm. The jam nut 15, is threaded on the stem to clamp the diaphragm between the head 13 and the washer 14, to prevent the stem turnough thesehold laundry in the-originally packed position, to prevent its'being torn b shi tng ing in the diaphragm, when the driving torque of the motor is applied. A second nut 16 is threaded onto t e stem, then the threaded flange 17 is screwed onto the end of the stem and ammed by the lock nut 16.

The surrounding field element of the motor 18, is fixed to the flange 17 by the cap screws 19 enga in the lower end of the motor fields, wiic securely attaches the motor to the diaphragm leaving the shaft and armature of the motor free to revolve. The weight of the motor and assembled parts is me upon the pneumatic cushion, composed of the iaphragm 8, air under pressure being introduced through the valve stem 21, protruding through the side wall 7 of the bowl. The outer edge of the diaphragm is secured to the bowl by the annuar overhanging flange 22, fixed to the flange 7 'by the cap-screws 23. Air pressure is pumped into the bowl until the necessary supgorting power is attained with the desire flexi illty, to permit the required gyrations of the basket, as will hereinafter be described, The up er end of the motor shaft 24 is keyed to t e central hub 25 of the bottom 26 of the basket. The basket is composed of corrugated wall 27, secured to the bottom 26 and having the inturned overhanging top 28. The corrugated cylindrical wall 27 is perforated as at 29, to permit the escape of water from the basket under influence of centrifugal force. The corrugations 'give greater strength and extractin capacity within the same space. They ad about one third more surface for perforations, in the same height and width of' basket, for the escape of the li uid from the material being treated in the asket. They also tend to during the wrin ing process. he whole surface .of the bas et can be rforated, and the size and placement of t e perforations varied to suit thetype of material being treated. To prevent elongation or distortion of the basket the vertical stays 27 are fixed thereto zit-intervals.

The rotation of the motor shaft is transmitted directly to the basket. The weight of the basket and contents and other assembled parts on the shaft is borne by a ball bearing composed of a ball race 30, laid in the bottom of the annular-cup 31, between the hub 32 of-the motor shaft bearing, and the surrounding flange 33, to form an oil reservoir, fed through the oil cup 34. The balls 35, in this race support the annular flange 36 fixed on the shaft 24, to form a ball thrust bearing running submerged in oil at all times.

A brake is provided to arrest the momem tum of' the basket after the power is turned ofi. This consists of a brake drum 37,'fixed to a flange on the bottom 26 of the basket. The" stationary element of the brake consists of the cage 38, fixed to the motor fields by the cap screws 39, and surrounding the motor shaft, formin a third bearing in addit1on to the motor earin s, to 'insuresmooth runnin of the motor s aft, by preventing chatterin or'lateral vibration of the shaft,

during the gyrations of the basket, The brake shoes 40, are arranged in juxtaposition to the internal surface of the brake drum on opposites sides of the shaft,- and have guiding stems 41, extending into coil springs 42, set into sockets 43 formed on the cage 38. These shoes are supported and operated by the bell cranks 44 and 45 pivoted thereto at 46, and to the cage at 48.

The inner ends 49 and 50 of the bell cranks I are pivoted to the links 51-52, which in turn are pivoted on the pin 53, in the end of the core 54 of the solenoid 55, whereby the pull of the solenoid core overcomes the springs 42, releasing the brake shoes from the drum. The solenoid is interposed between the motor and the source of its energy,

whereby the brakes are released before the motor is energized. An electro-d namic braking effect may also be accomplis ed by reversing the current through the motor,-

until the momentum is arrested, where the installation justifies the more elaborate electrical equipment. The mechanical friction brake shown is preferred, because it is applicable in connection with standard equipment in this class of machinery.

In laundries where one man. may have charge of a bank of extractors, a considerable quantity of power is lost by extractors continuing to run after the extraction is complete. The operator being busy elsewhere, neglects to switch off the current.

To eliminate this loss I have provided an automatic switch adapted tocut out each ex tractor when the water ceases to flow from it, thus saving power and the energy and time of the o rator. This automatic switch consists of t e reservoir 56, supported by and connected with the overflow pipe 57 attached to the casing 3. The float 58 in the reservoir has the rod 59 extending through the top of the reservoir into the path of the switch stem 60, of the motor switch 61. The outlet 62 from the reservoir is smaller than the inlet so that the water will back up into the reservoir and support the float until the extracted water.

ceases to flow, at which time the float will drop and open the switch 61, cutting off the current to the solenoid and to the motor. It is desirable to use some form of the conventional snap switches that will open and close the circuit quickly to prevent arcing, independent of the speed of the float in rising or. falling.

The incoming current (X) passes over the wire 63 to the buss wire 64, leading to the separate switches 65-66, for respectively controlling the motor through the float switch or independent of the float switch 61. If the switch 65 is closed the current passes to the wire 67, through the solenoid 55, thence over the wire 68. to the outlet wire (I). The energized solenoid then closes the motor switch 69, connected with the bell crank 44 of the brake. The current then passes over the wire 70, from 67, through the motor 18 to the outlet (I). Energizing the solenoid thus, releases the brake by overcoming the brake springs 42, before the current can reach the motor, for obvious reasons.

When the switch 66 is closed. current passes from (X) over the wire 71, across the float switch 61, that is closed by the buoyancy of the float 58, supported by the water that drains from the wet clothes in the basket, thence over the wire 72, through the solenoid and out over the wire 68 and outlet (I). The energizing of the solenoid releases the brake prior to starting the motor as previously described.

The device operates substantially as follows: The operator opens the cover 4;, and packs the wet laundry into the basket. distributing it evenly along the cylindrical wall 27. and packing it into the basket with the purpose of maintaining the axial balance of the basket with respect to the Centrifugal force to be applied, to prevent wobbling as much as possible. After packing the basket it is covered with a cloth tucked under the overhanging edge 28, and the cover 4 is closed. The operator then closes the switch 65, which releases the brake and starts the motor as described. I'Vhen the basket has reached its maximum revolutions per minute, the switch 65 is opened and the switch 66, simultaneously clo ed, which causes the motor to continuelto rotate at top speed. deriving its current through the float switch 61, until extraction is complete. at which time the float will descend and open the motor circuit and stop the motor automatically, as described. The first extractor runs under power until the reservoir drains empty, permitting the float to descend, opening the switch 61, shutting off the power to the motor and to the solenoid. As the solenoid deenergizcs the springs 42 expand, forcing the brake shoes 4.0 against the brake drum 37, to gradually arrest the momentum of the basket. until it comes to rest. independent of any further attention after the operator starts it.

During the short interval before the basket finds its centrifugal center it leans laterally and gyratcs eccentrically, this being permitted by the flexibility of the rubber diaphragm 8.

By the present system of direct drlve, and

evenly applied torque, gyration is reduced to the minlmum and the basket comes quickly to its center. The thrust of the basket load being supported u on an antifriction bearing above the motor, eating of the motor bearings is reduced to the minimum, consequently an danger of destructive heat ever reaching t e rubber supporting diaphragm 8, is nil. This thrust bearing also carries the weight of the motor armature, permitting the end of the motor shaft to run in an oil tight bath of lubricant at its lower end. It is obvious that this form of pneumatic support is applicable to any form of vertical shaft extractor or other machine however driven.

Having thus described this invention what -I claim and desire to cover by Letters Patent is 1. In an extractor, a flexible diaphragm,

means supporting the same, a rotatable shaft supported by said diaphragm, and means for rotating said shaft.

2. An extractor having a pneumatically sustained diaphragm, a vertical motor supported by said diaphragm, a shaft rotated by the motor, and a centrifugal container mounted upon the shaft.

3. An extractor having a vertical shaft gyratably mounted upon a pneumatically supported diaphragm, and means for driving said shaft.

4. An extractor having a hollow base, a flexible diaphragm over said base, means for containing pressure in said base and motive means mounted on said diaphragm.

5. An extractor having a hollow pedestal, a casing mounted on the pedestal, a pneumatically sustained diaphragm supported within the pedestal, a motor supported by said diaphragm and having a shaft, and a perforated basket within the casing and mounted on said shaft.

6. An extractor having a hollow pedestal, a motor having a shaft, said motor being mounted on the diaphragm in such a manner as to accommodate a gyroscopic movement of the shaft, and a basket carried by the shaft.

7. An extractor having a base, a pedestal and an enclosing casing; a motor in said pedestal; a pneumatically supported diaphragm between said base and motor; a basket in said casing mounted upon the shaft of said motor; a brake interposed between said motor and basket; electrical brake operating means in circuit with said motor.

8. An extractor having a base, a pedestal and an enclosing casing; a motor in said pedestal; a pneumatically supported wall between said base and motor; a basket in said casing mounted upon the shaft of said motor; a brake interposed between said motor and basket; electrical brake operating means in circuit with said motor; a switch in circuit with said motor and means for said operating said switch by the overflow from casing. 9. An extractor having a base, a pedestal.

and an enclosing casing; a motor in said edestal; a pneumatic su port between said base and motor; a has et in said casing mounted upon the shaft of said motor; a brake interposed between said motor and basket; electrical brake operating means in .circuit with said motor; and an antifriction thrust bearing between said motor and basket.

10. An extractor having a shaft rotatably mounted on' a pneumatically sustained diaphragm, and means for rotating the shaft.

11. An extractor having a support, a pneumatically supported flexible diaphragm within the support, a rotatableshaft supported by the diaphragm, and means for rotating the shaft.

'12. A device of the character described,

comprising a support having a chamber 30 matically supported wall, a shaft supported b1 the wall, and means for rotating the siaft.

14. An extractor having a hollow supporting standard, a bowl formed in the bottom of the standard, a flexible diaphra m spanning the top of the. bowl, a. motor avin a she t mounted on the diaphragm, an a basket carried by the shaft.

- 15. An extractor having a hollow standard, a bowl formed in the bottom of thestandard, a flexible reenforced diaphragm covering the how], a motor having a shaft aflixed to the diaphragm, and a basket aflixed to the shaft.

-16. A device of the character described, comprising a support having a chamber formed thereon, said chamber havin a pneumatically supported reinforced flexi 1e wall, a shaft supported by the wall, and means for rotating the shaft.

17. A device of the character described, comprising a support having a chamber formed therein, the chamber having a pneumatically supported flexible wall, means for introducing pressure within the chamber, a shaft supported by said flexible wall, and means for rotatin the shaft.

In testimony w ereof' I hereunto sign my name.

HARRY J. PARKER. 

